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Minutes 02-26-15 MINUTES OF THE EDUCATION AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD MEETING HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON FEBRUARY 26,2015, AT 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Stephen Waldman, Chair Sherri Claude, Board Liaison Mary Morera, Vice Chair Carla Colebrooks Dr. Stephanie Hayden Carol Lundquist Hattie Miller Valencia Spells Anderson Loretta Wilkinson, Alternate Kathleen Wilkinson, Student, Regular Voting Member ABSENT: Dr. Tiffany North 1. Call to Order Chair Waldman called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Ill. Pledge of Allegiance/Moment of Silent Reflection The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Kathleen Wilkinson, followed by a moment of silent reflection. Self- introductions were made. A quorum was present. Ill. Approval of Minutes of January 22, 2015 Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Colebrooks seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Approval of Agenda Chair Waldman added Request for Funds from the Theatre Arts Academy as New Business, Item A. A letter from a teacher was added as New Business, Item B. Motion Kathleen Wilkinson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Ms. Lundquist seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 6, 201 V. Announcements/Presentations/Correspondence Sherri Claude, Board Liaison, announced a letter from the Gold Coast Knights Kiwanis Club was received, thanking the Board for their donation to the Reading Oasis, Other Reading Oasis' were planned, but not by the Gold Coast Kiwanis Club. I. Public Audience Lori Montal, Senior at Boynton Beach High School, spoke about Career Day held at the High School last Tuesday. She met with Charlie Brown, Mental Health Nurse and life coach for those with drug addiction. Her class was able to serve as aides and assistants to many different speakers that came to the school to talk about their professions, how they help the community and guide students to a career path. Ms. Montal's group was very pleased with Ms. Brown's presentation about her life experiences, what she did in college, why she chose her profession, and how it impacted her and her family's life. Kristie Holt, AP Psychology Teacher, advised another student speaker was on his way to the meeting. She explained the High School partnered with the Mental Health Committee. They looked for a way to connect psychology students with those in the mental health profession. There were a range of professionals encompassing private practitioners, forensic psychology, basic science, an FAU professor, experts specializing in competency in court trials, marital and family health, and more. About 125 psychology students received brief biographies from the professionals, and self - selected which speaker session to attend. The sessions lasted about 25 minutes each, and included the education needed for the field, what their day is like and issues that arose. Questions and answers by the students followed. Ms. Montal advised non - psychology students were upset they could not attend and also some students may take psychology classes next year. Ms. Holt hoped to broaden the program from psychology careers to specific topics, such as learning disabilities, families in crisis and applied sciences. The National Alliance for the Mentally III (AI) brought a patient, serving as a peer to others working their way through the program. This program was held in partnership with the Mental Health Committee. All enjoyed the program. Ms. Holt explained junior students attended the program, but there were some sophomores and seniors in attendance. School administration was kept apprised of the event. A press release was sent to the main office. Chair Waldman suggested the School Board highlight the event and Ms. Holt responded they would send information and invite the press to the next event, which was free. The professionals spoke between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and then divided into groups. Louis Barberry, Senior at oynton Beach High School, thanked Ms. Holt, High School Principal Fred Barch, and the speakers for coming to the school. He thought the turnout could have been better because testing was occurring and more students could have participated. 2 Meeting inutes Education and Youth Advisory Board B o yn ton Beach, Florida Fe 6, 2015 He thought the program was a success, but thought it would have been better for the students to visit the various guest speakers. VII. New Business A. Donation request from the Theatre Arts Academy at Boynton Beach High School. Chair Waldman commented when the Academy started, they did not have hammers or drills to make theater sets. He recently attended "The Piano Lesson" put on by the Academy and advised the students gave a great performance. The Academy was requesting $200 to take 20 of the top performing students to the State Thespian Festival in Tampa from March 24 to the 29 th. Motion Ms. Colebrooks moved to approve a donation of $200 for the Theatre Academy. Kathleen Wilkinson seconded the motion. Chair Waldman noted he liked that the students were trying to raise funds for the program. The School District was attempting to elevate the high school to the caliber of Dreyfoos School of the Arts. The program encompassed theater, art, music and dance. He commented he was holding a contest on the contributions of African Americans and some of the students volunteered to give a performance. Discussion followed it would be nice to sponsor one child. Motion Vice Chair Morera moved to approve $320, the amount one child would have to pay. Ms. Colebrooks agreed to amend her motion and Kathleen Wilkinson agreed to amend her second. The motion passed 7 -1 (Dr. Hayden dissenting.) B. Teacher's letter Chair Waldman distributed a letter from a teacher who had been teaching out of her field requesting funds to become a certified teacher. Chair Waldman was unsure the request fell under the Board's purview. Ms. Colebrooks clarified this teacher took classes and was advised the classes she took did not qualify her to teach dual languages. She had been teaching at the school as a substitute for three years, was a volunteer, and was a very good teacher. The teacher was moving ahead through University of Phoenix and must complete the classes by June 30th. In this manner, the teacher could advance at her own pace. Florida Atlantic University did not have a fast paced class and discussion followed some of the colleges have classroom management for educators and a program for teachers that are first 3 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board Boynton Beach, Florida February 26, 2015 year teachers. Starting this year, those taking Introduction to Learners with Special Needs, in order to obtain their teaching license, they have to take a free class. The members discussed avenues the teacher could pursue and the following suggestions and comments were made: • Contact the Board at Palm Beach State College as it was believed they offer assistance for teachers • The University offers discounts for critically short areas such as dual language and the teacher should contact FAU and Palm Beach State in this regard • Request the State issue a waiver • Request an extension • Apply to the State Certification Department as a hardship • The teacher needed an advocate such as her state representative, or Union Loretta Wilkinson offered to write a letter of support for the teacher. Chair Waldman offered to call the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and there was agreement to discuss this at the next meeting. It was recommended this information be passed on to the teacher. VIII. Old Business A. Sister Cities Chair Waldman noted Sister Cities was reorganizing and the annual writing and art contest was ongoing. He agreed to contact Ms. Heavilin from the organization to obtain an update. B. Shred-A-Thon (May 2) Ms. Claude sent the Shred-A-Thon company the agreement by email last week, but had not yet received a response. The Board noted SunFest was the same weekend, but that started in the afternoon and the Shred-A-Thon was in the morning from 10-12. The contract would have the company arrive at 9:30 a.m. because people come early. At the last event, they nearly had to turn people away. The truck holds four tons of paper and it was nearly filled. C. Tennis Carnival (April 25) Chair Waldman announced he could not attend. The Tennis Carnival would start at 9:30 a.m. this year. The Board's attempts to call the Tennis Carnival the Phyllis Stern Memorial Tennis Carnival was turned down by Hunters Run. It appeared Hunters Run did not want to start a precedent. It was noted the event was a Board event, but if they moved it to another location, they would have to obtain a tennis pro. Chair Waldman suggested holding the event at Hunters Run this year and if the Board wanted to pursue the matter, they could find another location for next year. 4 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory or Boynton Beach, Florida February 26, 2015 Ms. Claude received an email that tee shirts would not be printed. Refreshments would be available and handled by Vice Chair Morera. Chair Waldman asked for a motion to purchase refreshments for the Tennis Carnival. Last year, Vice Chair Morera spent around $50. Motion Ms. Lundquist moved to approve spending up to $75 for refreshments for the Carnival. Ms. Spells Anderson seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Vice Chair Morera requested if anyone was aware of any giveaways, to let her know. Chair Waldman commented he met someone from at the High School who has a tee shirt business and he would investigate the matter further. It was also important to show the Board's appreciation to the Tennis Pro and he should receive a gift. Kathleen Wilkinson left the meeting at 6:59 p.m. D. Youth Volunteer Bank/Bob Borovy Award Chair Waldman announced there was $1,500 in the Youth Volunteer Bank. Ms. Claude advised the Bob Borovy Award has been on the website for some time and she sent a letter and flyer to the local schools. She issued a press release which was in the Palm Beach Post and she would also post the information on Facebook. She offered to provide the members with flyers to help generate publicity for the Award. The deadline was March 31' This year the award would be $500. Chair Waldman thought if they made a lot of money from the upcoming Shred-A-Thon, he would like to put at least $500 in the Borovy Award account to ensure the program would continue. Ms. Claude inquired if the members wanted to continue handling the Youth Volunteer Bank. In early March, Ms. Claude issued a letter advising volunteer hours were due by April V The volunteers are invited to attend a City Commission meeting and they receive a certificate and a small gift. There were 100 to 125 volunteers in the database. Often the youth do not bring their sheets with them to obtain the sign-off for volunteer hours. In the past, other documentation was acceptable. Dr. Hayden thought the time should be vouched for and it was important to leave a paper trail. If a student had a volunteer form from their school for school hours, they could submit a copy for the award and receive credit. Ms. Claude commented years ago, they had a very large volunteer bank and volunteers were recognized with a big event. It appeared people were busy and attendance had diminished, although the volunteers come to be recognized at the City Commission meeting. I. Future Meeting Dates: March 26, 2015 April 23, 2015 5 Meeting Minutes Education and Youth Advisory Board - Boynton Beach, Florida February 26, 2015 X. Adjournment Motion There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Colebrooks moved to adjourn. The motion was duly seconded and unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 030615 6